For decades, swine health research often focused on a single pathogen. However, experts pointed out during a recent Boehringer Ingelheim webinar hosted by Farm Journal that producers are actually dealing with the interplay of multiple health challenges over time. Nick Gabler, DVM, professor in animal science at Iowa State University, started researching these factorial health challenges about a decade ago.
He believes the sow farm is the true starting line when it comes to swine health. Although disease often manifests in the nursery or finisher, the root cause frequently traces back to the sow farm.
“We’re seeing that sow farm health has a big impact on that first three to four weeks in the nursery,” Gabler says. “There’s a lot of multi-factorial health challenges there. That’s where I see opportunity for the swine industry to clean up the sow farm and create a downstream impact on health and performance of the pig.”
The Multiplier Effect
Most research focuses on the onset of an infection. However, the economic impact isn’t just about how many pigs get sick, but how quickly and efficiently they recover, Gabler says. A pig that “lingers” in a subclinical state is often more expensive than one that recovers quickly, as it continues to consume resources without gaining weight.
This approach of dynamic pig health, or understanding the full picture of the problem, requires producers and veterinarians to ask some tough questions.
“What is the pathogen or stressor involved?” Gabler asks. “When is it coming into your operation? How does it interact with your management decisions (feeding, marketing, people movement, truck movement, medication and vaccine use)? What pathogens are present?”
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